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Brief Chronicles #2
The Ironmaster
The page-turning Howarth saga continues! For fans of Nadine Dorries, Maeve Binchy, Freda Lightfoot and Dilly Court.
Can each of the Howarth children find their place in the world?
Although they were all raised together at Kit’s Hill, Ned and Dorcas Howarth’s three children prove to have very different callings.
Headstrong Charlotte raises a family in London, while helping to run her husband’s radical press.
Dick ’s love of the land and his childhood home prompts him to follow in his father’s footsteps as an honest yeoman farmer.
And ambitious William , a blacksmith’s apprentice, dreams of becoming master of his own ironworks.
Living in a time of great change and turbulence, all three must keep their nerve to succeed on their chosen paths…
The Ironmaster is the second book in The Brief Chronicles, a gripping family saga set in rural Lancashire during the Industrial Revolution.
‘Powerful … a splendid read and a worthy successor to Kit’s Hill ’ – Yorkshire Post
THE BRIEF CHRONICLES
Book Kit’s Hill
Book The Ironmaster
Book The Vivian Inheritance
Book The Northern Correspondent
Can each of the Howarth children find their place in the world?
Although they were all raised together at Kit’s Hill, Ned and Dorcas Howarth’s three children prove to have very different callings.
Headstrong Charlotte raises a family in London, while helping to run her husband’s radical press.
Dick ’s love of the land and his childhood home prompts him to follow in his father’s footsteps as an honest yeoman farmer.
And ambitious William , a blacksmith’s apprentice, dreams of becoming master of his own ironworks.
Living in a time of great change and turbulence, all three must keep their nerve to succeed on their chosen paths…
The Ironmaster is the second book in The Brief Chronicles, a gripping family saga set in rural Lancashire during the Industrial Revolution.
‘Powerful … a splendid read and a worthy successor to Kit’s Hill ’ – Yorkshire Post
THE BRIEF CHRONICLES
Book Kit’s Hill
Book The Ironmaster
Book The Vivian Inheritance
Book The Northern Correspondent
- GenresHistorical Romance
506 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 1, 1981
362 people are currently reading
51 people want to read
About the author
Jean Stubbs
64 books13 followersAka Emma Darby
Jean was born in Lancashire and educated in Manchester. She has written many novels and short stories for magazines and collections, several of which have been adapted for radio and television. She has lived for more than twenty years in a cottage in Cornwall, England, with her husband.
Jean was born in Lancashire and educated in Manchester. She has written many novels and short stories for magazines and collections, several of which have been adapted for radio and television. She has lived for more than twenty years in a cottage in Cornwall, England, with her husband.
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Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews
January 24, 2020
Excellent
This second book in the Kit's Hill family saga is even better than the first in my opinion as the children of Ned and Dorcas are now adults with growing families.
The political issues in England during the turn of the century, late 1700's to early 1800's, are laid out and described by their impact on the social order. The meanness of those who held themselves as better than the working poor is highlighted by the political activism of the times. With revolutions in America and France and wars highlighting the daily discussions of the populous and suppression of free speech in England, and the industrial revolution changing the entire landscape both geographically and politically, this story presents the many aspects and their effects on the Howarths. I love that daughter Charlotte is a woman before her time and her radicalism is prominently threaded through the plot juxtaposed in its dynamic with her older brother William's rise to riches/power as the ironmaster.
This is a well written and conceived plot which I totally enjoyed reading. It brought many emotions to surface. I definitely recommend to readers of historical fiction. I do plan to read the next in this series. I've learned much.
This second book in the Kit's Hill family saga is even better than the first in my opinion as the children of Ned and Dorcas are now adults with growing families.
The political issues in England during the turn of the century, late 1700's to early 1800's, are laid out and described by their impact on the social order. The meanness of those who held themselves as better than the working poor is highlighted by the political activism of the times. With revolutions in America and France and wars highlighting the daily discussions of the populous and suppression of free speech in England, and the industrial revolution changing the entire landscape both geographically and politically, this story presents the many aspects and their effects on the Howarths. I love that daughter Charlotte is a woman before her time and her radicalism is prominently threaded through the plot juxtaposed in its dynamic with her older brother William's rise to riches/power as the ironmaster.
This is a well written and conceived plot which I totally enjoyed reading. It brought many emotions to surface. I definitely recommend to readers of historical fiction. I do plan to read the next in this series. I've learned much.
August 6, 2020
Heart wrenching!
If you like historical fiction and family sagas, you can not miss with this series.
In book 2, the author does an outstanding job of the continuence of painting detailed pictures of each character as they grew. They were amazingly unpredictable!
The book brings laughter, joy, as well as great sorrow.
It truly takes you on a whirlwind of emotions that at times I felt it too much to bear, But I had to see what was next!!! And promptly down loaded book 3! I think you will enjoy this series.
If you like historical fiction and family sagas, you can not miss with this series.
In book 2, the author does an outstanding job of the continuence of painting detailed pictures of each character as they grew. They were amazingly unpredictable!
The book brings laughter, joy, as well as great sorrow.
It truly takes you on a whirlwind of emotions that at times I felt it too much to bear, But I had to see what was next!!! And promptly down loaded book 3! I think you will enjoy this series.
March 14, 2021
Could not put this down. All the ups and downs of family life.
I enjoyed every written word. Ms. Stubbs is a master in characterization! Every family has character development whittled out of the history of said family. We are stronger by standing with those in our family with differing opinions and attributes. The historical view of the story for the times was as accurate as could be presented. I enjoyed the journey.
I enjoyed every written word. Ms. Stubbs is a master in characterization! Every family has character development whittled out of the history of said family. We are stronger by standing with those in our family with differing opinions and attributes. The historical view of the story for the times was as accurate as could be presented. I enjoyed the journey.
November 12, 2020
A sequel to surpass Book 1
There are so many little gems of writing in this book that make a good story a classic read. The detailed history is well researched and brings history to life. If I have one wish it would be to provide a family tree. Like Dorcas, I get a little muddle brained sometimes and forget who is who. Now Book 3 awaits.
There are so many little gems of writing in this book that make a good story a classic read. The detailed history is well researched and brings history to life. If I have one wish it would be to provide a family tree. Like Dorcas, I get a little muddle brained sometimes and forget who is who. Now Book 3 awaits.
January 14, 2020
Kit's Hill and And the Ironmonger
I have not read two books about an English family more delightful than these two books. It tells about history with a grim time for the weavers and craftsman who ran into the industrial revolution.
I have not read two books about an English family more delightful than these two books. It tells about history with a grim time for the weavers and craftsman who ran into the industrial revolution.
May 5, 2021
Much better than the first book!
Enjoy the continuity of keeping the story flowing smoothly without “time jumps” to figure out. Story seemed complete now I’m curious what will be left to follow!
Enjoy the continuity of keeping the story flowing smoothly without “time jumps” to figure out. Story seemed complete now I’m curious what will be left to follow!
April 5, 2020
The Ironmaster
A continuation of the story of lives loved in the beginnings of Industrial age England,. With all its class distinctions.
A continuation of the story of lives loved in the beginnings of Industrial age England,. With all its class distinctions.
May 7, 2020
Brilliant
Beautifully written with solid understanding and respect for the mores of time, place and custom; this historical novel displays the best attributes of the genre.
Beautifully written with solid understanding and respect for the mores of time, place and custom; this historical novel displays the best attributes of the genre.
September 30, 2024
This was a wonderful story, can’t wait to read book #3….
April 26, 2020
I didn't find this novel compared at all with Kit's Hill. There was suddenly a lot more emphasis on the speech and wording of the era, which there hadn't been much of in the first novel.
Also when William got Hannah pregnant, I was outraged that Dorcas just happily stepped in and assisted her in leaving. It was a little too convenient and clean cut.
Initially I was tempted to read the whole series, not so much now.
Also when William got Hannah pregnant, I was outraged that Dorcas just happily stepped in and assisted her in leaving. It was a little too convenient and clean cut.
Initially I was tempted to read the whole series, not so much now.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
November 1, 2015
Quite atmospheric..
Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews